The facts
What fordite actually is
Mineralogically, fordite is man-made: baked automotive lacquer overspray — Layered acrylic and enamel paint polymers, crystallising in the amorphous layered system.
The colour is caused by whatever pigments the factory sprayed that decade; the banding is literally the paint history of a production line. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads About 1.5, and the specific gravity sits near 1.4–1.8; cleavage is none; layers can delaminate.
Where fordite comes from
The recognised sources are Detroit, Michigan, USA, Dearborn, Michigan, USA and Lordstown, Ohio, USA.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How fordite is treated
Not a natural material at all and should never be sold as a stone. Genuine fordite comes from the overspray build-up on old paint-booth skids; modern electrostatic painting no longer produces it, so supply is historic. Waxed or resin-coated finishing is common.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What fordite is confused with
The usual confusions are Agate, Resin imitations and Layered acrylic fakes.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index About 1.5 and specific gravity 1.4–1.8 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What fordite is used for
Fordite is bought by jewellery, decorative objects and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the piece or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 2–3; cleavage none; layers can delaminate. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What fordite costs
Indicative pricing for fordite is Rough 100–800 USD/kg; cabochons 30–250 USD.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is fordite treated, and how?
Not a natural material at all and should never be sold as a stone. Genuine fordite comes from the overspray build-up on old paint-booth skids; modern electrostatic painting no longer produces it, so supply is historic. Waxed or resin-coated finishing is common.
Where does fordite come from?
Detroit, Michigan, USA, Dearborn, Michigan, USA and Lordstown, Ohio, USA. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is fordite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2–3 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does fordite cost?
Indicatively Rough 100–800 USD/kg; cabochons 30–250 USD. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is fordite confused with?
Most often Agate, Resin imitations and Layered acrylic fakes. A refractive index of About 1.5 and a specific gravity near 1.4–1.8 separate it quickly.
What is fordite used for besides jewellery?
decorative objects and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for fordite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about fordite